Tributes paid after shock death of Stirling community champion aged just 34

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Tributes have been paid to a “sweetheart” with a “heart of gold” who has died suddenly at the age of just 34.Community champion Brenda Connelly, nee McLaughlin, passed away unexpectedly at Forth Valley Royal Hospital on June 23.The “treasured daughter” of Nan and the late Gerry McLaughlin and a “beloved and caring wife” to Loreto Connelly, she was known for having the same community spirit and willingness to help as the Cultenhove couple.They were by her side when she married husband Loreto in 2019.Nan and her husband Gerry won national accolades for their tireless community work in Cultenhove through Cultenhove Opportunities Partnership, including organising day trips and events for local youngsters as well as numerous ongoing projects.Their efforts were all the more remarkable for the fact that both were completely blind.And their willingness to help others was reflected by Brenda.Despite having her own difficulties, Brenda was an incredible support to the couple, and they to her.In 2006, Nan said; “She has never let me walk into a wall and I have never fallen.

I have complete faith in her. She is a very good guide and she just seems to have accepted that role naturally.”Brenda was known for her trusting and caring nature and spent much of her time volunteering.A member of Stirling Young Carers for several years, she also gave her time to meet others who understood her situation and while a pupil at St Modan’s High School she had her name on the PTA shield.As well as working with children with autism she was also a volunteer with Cultenhove Opportunities Partnership.In 2006 Nan and Brenda were among the subjects of a special photographic exhibition “24 hours”, a series of 24 portraits of carers from across Scotland.The